MVRDV's Eco City - architeria.eu

GOVERNMENT OF RIOJA GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO MVRDV'S LOGROñO MONTECORVO
ECO CITY

The government of the Spanish province and autonomous community Rioja has decided to go ahead
with the development of the extension to Logroño. The Eco-City designed by MVRDV in collaboration
with GRAS foresees the construction of 3,000 social homes and complementary program.
The new neighbourhood achieves a CO2 neutral footprint by producing renewable energy on site.
The total investment is 388 million Euro.

The 56 ha site, just north of Logroño on the two small hills of Montecorvo and la Fonsalada, offers views
over the city and vast south facing slopes. The masterplan is designed in a compact way occupying
only 10 % of the site: the linear compact urban development meanders through the landscape,
providing every apartment with views towards the city. In addition sports facilities, retail, restaurants,
infrastructure and public and private gardens are part of the plan.

The remaining landscape becomes an eco-park: a mix of park and energy production. As the slopes are
south facing solar energy is easily generated. A tapestry of PV-cells clad the mountain, covering the hills
in golden reflection. On top of the two hills, windmills generate part of the energy needed for the 3.000
social houses and at the same time they work as landmarks for the development. 100% of the energy
demand is generated on site by a combination of solar and wind energy. A greywater circuit and on
site natural water purification are parts of the plan that combines dense urban living with real ecological
improvements. All these measurements will allow the new development to reach a CO2 neutral
footprint and the highest Spanish energy efficiency rating.

Next to this, by building as compact as possible (following the optimal height line of the hill) the building
costs are minimized. A further part of the plan is the construction of a funicular accessing a museum
and viewing point hidden in the top of Montecorvo which will also house a research and promotion centre
for renewable and energy efficient technology. The on site production of clean energies and the quality
of construction will allow to save an excess of 6,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

The total sum of investment is 388 million Euro of which 40 million will be invested in renewable energy
technology. MVRDV won the competition in collaboration with Spanish architecture office GRAS.
Client is the city of Logroño; the project will be developed by Spanish firms LMB and Grupo Progea and
was conceived in collaboration with Arup.

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Text: MVRDV